Gambit's Back to School Fall 2019 by Gambit New Orleans

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AFTER SCHOOL ARTS PROGRAMS Ages 5-25 Monday– Friday

Back to School Table of Contents FA L L 20 19

AYA ARTS 3322 LASALLE YA 504.529. 3306 ENTE R CE

Glass Art Making in a Relaxing Studio Classes for all ages starting at age 6 Parties for kids and adults 313 8 M AG A Z I N E S T. , S U I T E C | N E W O R L E A N S, L A ( 5 0 4 ) 3 0 9 -25 81 | S H A R D S H O P.CO M / N O L A

BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING A+ items you need in styles you’ll love

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Loop NOLA inspired children to learn through nature

READY FOR SUCCESS

A New Orleans nonprofit helps students work and save for college

SCHOOL SPIRIT

A local high school student takes his concerns for school safety to the Louisiana Legislature

COOL SCHOOL

Students at a military school on the West Bank excel in academics, life lessons

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CHILL OUT

Two new play spots offer activities to keep children out of the heat

JOURNALISM 101 JRNOLA trains high school students to be journalists

WHAT’S FOR LUNCH Pick up your school lunch game with these recipes

Because your best is still ahead.

A TRULY INNOVATIVE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE FOR FAMILIES ON THE GO. University View Academy is a Louisiana-based K-12 tuition-free online public charter school available to students statewide from any parish. As one of the most innovative virtual charter schools in Louisiana, we offer a unique online environment with certified teachers and proven curricula that allow student families the flexibility and freedom to learn in a way that fits their lifestyle needs. We also provide students with ongoing social activities, clubs and field trips to stay connected with friends.

University View Academy also offers an early college high school program that allows our students to earn a free two-year associates degree from a partner community or technical college by either attending classes on campus or online via dual enrollment. This program is exclusive to UVA students and offers them the opportunity to get ahead on their four-year degree while still qualifying for TOPS when they graduate from high school.

DISCOVER & ENROLL TODAY! 225-421-2900 | universityview.academy

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EXPLORE OUR EXCLUSIVE EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM.

A+ School Gear The things you need in styles youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll love BY K ANDACE POWER GR AVES WRITE WHAT YOU FEEL

Astrology pencils are printed with sayings reflecting the personality traits of the astrological sign, $12 for set of eight at FunRockN (3109 Magazine St., 504-895-4102; www.facebook.com/ FunRockn.PopCity).

KEEP IT ORGANIZED

Help students keep their schedules and duties straight with a to-do list notebook with a gold pen attached, $15 at Lionheart Prints (3312 Magazine St., 504-267-5299; www.lionheartprints.com).

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THE WORLD AT THEIR FINGERTIPS

This illuminated globe on a stand is perfect for learning geography and visualizing the world in 3-D, $135 at Perch (2844 Magazine St., 504-899-2122; www.perch-home.com).

MY KIND OF TOWN

DRY DOCKS

Stay comfortable and traverse the campus in style even on the wettest days with rain boots by Joules, $64.99 at Feet First (4122 Magazine St., 504899-6800; www.feetfirststores.com).

New Orleans neighborhoods are illustrated on this wristlet clutch by Spartina 449, $46 at Little Miss Muffin (244 Metairie Road, Metairie, 504-833-6321; 766 Harrison Ave., 504-4828200; Miss Muffin by Little Miss Muffin, 3307 Severn Ave., 504455-1444; www.shoplittlemissmuffin.com).

HAPPY FEET

Fun socks in designs like sports and polka dots keep even restless feet looking good, $9 at Haase’s (8119 Oak St., 504-866-9944; www.haases.com).

PRETTY IN WHATEVER COLOR

Add some glamour to her hair with hair pins covered with pearls or topped with small flowers, $6.95 each at Miss Smarty Pants (5523 Magazine St., 504891-6141; www.misssmartypantsnola.com).

COLD AND WET

PREMIER SEATING

Hydration is important for proper brain function, so make sure your scholar always has a cold drink with the stainless-steel double-walled canteen by Corkcicle (available in several colors and designs), $34.95 at Phina (2561 Metairie Road, Metairie, 504-827-1605; 3013 Magazine St., 504510-5777; 3717 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-888-4141; www.phinashop.com).

This lightweight camping chair by Helinox is perfect for festivals or extra seating in a dorm room. It folds up in a flash and fits into a zippered carrier roughly a foot long and 5 inches wide, $119 at Massey’s Professional Outfitters (509 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-648-0292; 816 Highway 190, Covington, 985-809-7544; www.masseysoutfitters.com).

BEST FEET FORWARD

Forget the shrimp boots when it rains and pull on these stylish waterproof shoes by Johnston & Murphy, $169 at Iron Horse Clothier (523 Metairie Road, Metairie, 504-644-4800; www.ironhorsenola.com).

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CARRY IT WELL

A seersucker backpack, $30, and insulated lunch bag, $18, both by Mint come in a variety of colors at JuJu’s Kids Boutique (5519 Magazine St., 504-304-2737; www.jujuskidsboutique.com).

Ready for

success

A New Orleans nonprofit helps kids work and save for college BY K ANDACE POWER GR AVES

Life is complicated. Getting well doesn’t have to be.

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URGENT CARE

Six convenient locations. Just walk in, no appointment necessary. LCMChealthUrgentCare.com

NIESHA FREEMAN TURNED HER DISAPPOINTMENT at not being able to afford the college she dreamed of attending into Geaux Ready (www.kydnola.org/ geaux-ready), a program to help New Orleans teenagers realize their posthigh school dreams. After the New Orleans native graduated from L.E. Rabouin High School in 2009, she planned to enroll in Clark Atlanta University but found her financial aid and other resources wouldn’t cover the tuition, out-of-state fees and other costs. That experience spurred her to found Geaux Ready four years ago to help 16- to 19-yearold students work and save money for college while learning about personal finances and gaining job skills. Geaux Ready operates within Freeman’s nonprofit Knowing Your Destiny. “Geaux Ready was birthed out of my own situation as far as college, running out of financial [resources] to earn my full degree,” says Freeman, who graduated from Delgado Community College in 2017. “I thought about what we could do as a nonprofit to not only encourage kids to go forward in the career of their choice, or be an entrepreneur, or to go to college, but also to help them feel free to do those things. “We want more of the kids of New Orleans to go to colleges they desire to go to, or tech training they desire … and have resources to do so.” Geaux Ready participants work at events catered by a local company. The nonprofit gives its participants a stipend, and the kids keep half of that money to pay for uniforms, school supplies or often to support their families. The other half is deposited into students’ individual START Saving Program accounts. The state-run college savings program matches the deposits of students ages 16-18 by between 4% and 14%, depending on their parents’ income. “There are a lot of organizations who do a wonderful job of getting kids prepared as far as applications, choosing schools, picking the right major for them, but there

A D V O C AT E S TA F F P H O T O BY CHRIS GR ANGER

aren’t too many focusing on actually paying for it,” Freeman says. Geaux Ready worked with 30 students last year and hopes to double that number this year, Freeman says. In April, she presented a PowerPoint on Geaux Ready at the PitchNOLA competition and took home a second-place prize of $2,500, which she will use to fund the program. Although Geaux Ready’s focus is to earn and save money, Freeman says she doesn’t want participants to work all the time and miss out on high school experiences. “We know that colleges are looking for students who have extracurricular activities and we’re not trying to get in the way of that,” Freeman says. “Enjoy your high school years, but make sure your eye is still on the prize and understand that after high school there is something you have to do next.” Having a nest egg means they have money to buy books, pay room and board or go to trade school. If they decide not to go to college, the money they saved can be withdrawn to start a business or invest in something else they want to do. “We try to remove all barriers because these kids have enough going on,” she says. “You have kids who are helping their parents and are not able to focus on themselves. If they know that there is an organization that can remove some of the weight off them, they are more likely to focus on themselves and their future.” Email Gambit managing editor Kandace Power Graves: kandaceg@ gambitweekly.com

PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

At the Start of the Academic Year, New Orleans’ School Options are Varied and Strong.

KAYCEE KAROLINE GLAUSIER PHOTOGRAPHY

ublic education in New Orleans has vastly improved in the last fifteen years. Our city’s graduation rate has skyrocketed from just over 50% in 2004 to almost 80% today. The percentage of students eligible for the state’s TOPS college scholarship has nearly doubled in that time. More children are being prepared to reach their dreams because our schools are stronger than ever.

Importantly, our unified system of schools in New Orleans is diverse in type and model. The public schools in New Orleans give families the chance to choose the environment that’s best for their child. Our schools vary in educational philosophy, extracurricular offerings, size, and style; we have college-preparatory schools, arts-focused schools, Montessori schools, international and language-immersion schools, and more. No matter the neighborhood a child grows up in, they can apply to the school that fits their needs through OneApp.

Founder and Head of School Melanie Askew worked as a founding teacher, instructional coach, curriculum content specialist, educational consultant, and adjunct professor prior to launching Élan Academy. Melanie has a Master of Education degree from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College and is pursuing her doctorate in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt as well. Why the focus on Latin? Askew says, “By exposing our students to Latin early on, they are able to break words apart and build meaning. We don't teach Latin so students become fluent, we teach it so they can become word-masters.

KAYCEE KAROLINE GLAUSIER PHOTOGRAPHY

More than half of English words have Latin roots. It gives them ownership over the ACT and SAT vocabulary words they’ll need to be successful. And it’s a confidence booster - how many elementary students can say they’re learning Latin? It’s rare.” Élan has strong family involvement and a thriving Parent-Teacher Association called Momentum. “They are the heartbeat of the school. Parents put on events like the fall fest, book fair, holiday shop, as well as different fundraisers. Some also come to the school and serve as room parents, provide support for teachers, or volunteer in the library.” The school also prides itself on individualized attention for each student, with a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. They also have a diverse staff, with over 65% of their teachers being New Orleans or Louisiana natives. “We see this as generational work, not only impacting the

Content provided by New Schools For New Orleans

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N V I S I T WWW.NEWSCHOOLSFORNEWORLEANS.ORG

KAYCEE KAROLINE GLAUSIER PHOTOGRAPHY

students in our building but their entire generation, their family, and their future families. We are building generations of leaders and supporting the change in the narrative around public schools in New Orleans. Our students work hard and we are pleased that our high expectations, strong parent and community relationships, and committed teachers resulted in Élan Academy performing above the state and city average. We look forward to continuing to provide the foundation necessary for our students to thrive in high-school and succeed in college.” Élan is a special place, with striking academic success and a thriving culture and community. Each year in New Orleans, more and more students will be starting their year in classrooms like theirs—ones that are joyful, rigorous, and rich with opportunities for growth.

G A M B I T B AC K T O S C H O O L 2 0 1 9

One of these unique schools is Élan Academy on the West Bank, which calls itself “the little school under the bridge doing big things.” Elan educates pre-kindergarteners through 4th graders, and will be adding a new grade each year until 8th grade. Élan is more socioeconomically diverse than many other public schools in New Orleans. It is classically influenced and 21st-century-focused, with small class sizes and curriculum that incorporates Latin, classic literature, coding classes, and leadership development. Students also have the chance to learn violin through a partnership with Make Music NOLA. They’re seeing academic results: this year, Élan’s students outperformed the state and city averages for the percentage scoring Mastery and above on every subject of the LEAP test.

DEJA HILLIS PHOTOGRAPHY

School spirit Is ADHD holding your child back? Discover How Your Brain Can Change ADHD • ANXIETY DEPRESSION • MEMORY, TBI • PEAK PERFORMANCE

PHOTO BY MEG AN BELL A

Andrew Gary (second from left) stands with fellow members of the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council inside the Louisiana State Capitol.

BRAINCORE NOLA 2420 Athania Parkway • Suite 102 • Metairie, LA www.braincoretherapy.com For more information please call: (504) 533-8669

Determined to improve school safety, a local student takes the law into his hands

G A M B I T B AC K T O S C H O O L 2 0 1 9

BY SUZANNE PFEFFERLE TAFUR

WHEN A TEENAGER OPENED GUNFIRE AT MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL in Parkland, Florida in 2018, 17 people were killed. That tragedy compelled Andrew Gary, a senior at St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Metairie, to improve school safety measures in Louisiana. He wrote an article about the topic for St. Martin’s school newspaper, joined the school safety and security committee and consulted with administrators. He also became a member of the 2018-2019 Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council. During the last legislative session, Gary championed a bill in the Louisiana Legislature that was signed by Gov. John Bel Edwards. The bill – Senate Bill 43, now Act 44 – aims to enhance school safety protocol through student participation. “It mandates that every high school

principal talks to the student body president, and at least one other student, in regards to their school’s emergency safety plan,” Gary says. “It fits under the community approach that emergency management follows: You talk to all the relevant stakeholders because everybody has a unique perspective.” Gary and a handful of peers from the advisory council began the process about nine months ago by contacting Edwards’ education policy advisor, along with state representatives, the Louisiana School Board Association and nearly a dozen other organizations. In May, the bill was passed through the House and the Senate with no opposition. Edwards signed it June 6. “Hopefully, starting this school year, schools will start following the law,” says Gary, a competitive swimmer, a member of St. Martin’s debate team and the founder of the school’s Red Cross club. Gary now is creating a statewide nonprofit advocacy group — the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Committee. But despite the experience he has acquired in government and community service, he only recently considered a career in politics. “For better or for worse, I’m kind of good at this,” Gary says. “I’ve built connections, and now that I’m starting my own advocacy group, it’s sort of becoming inevitable that I’m on this path.”

Journalism 101

High school students learn to write stories and much more at JRNOLA.

MCDONOGH 35 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT TAYLOR PITTMAN was at a New Orleans Saints game with her grandfather when she first saw an advertisement for the New Orleans Junior Journalism Program (JRNOLA), a free after-school and summer program for high schoolers interested in journalism. She applied online while in the car on her way home from the game, not knowing that joining the program would allow her and other students to earn press credentials to cover events like the Essence Music Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, WrestleMania, Pelicans games and even Saints games like the one where she saw the ad — putting them on the front lines of some of the city’s biggest entertainment events. “It was really an accident because I knew that I liked English when I was in school and I knew I liked writing papers and stuff like that, but I didn’t know how to define what I liked,” Pittman says. “I looked and I searched (for extracurriculars) and this just kind of fell in my lap.” JRNOLA originally began as a side project of Sam Joffray through his work at the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, where he gave students a one-shot chance to cover a major sporting event under the guidance of a professional media mentor. In 2017, he brought on board Allison McCarroll as chief operating officer and co-founder of the program, which they formed as a nonprofit separate from the sports foundation. They started their inaugural class that fall. This year, JRNOLA launched its first summer program, where a group of 10

I TRY AND EMPHASIZE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THAT I’M NOT THEIR TEACHER, BUT I AM THEIR CO-WORKER, AND MAYBE THEIR BOSS OR THEIR EDITOR.

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students focused on writing longform stories on topics ranging from a lack of representation in media to sex education. This fall, organizers hope to have 16 to 24 students joining them after school. “It’s a rare breed of students because kids have a lot of options of things to do, from staying home and playing video games to being on teams,” Joffray says. “But the kid

TAKE BACK YOUR YARD from mosquitoes, ticks and fleas!

STOP THE ITCHING AND START ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS AGAIN

P H O T O B Y K AY L E E P O C H E

Allison McCarroll works with JrNOLA participants Isabella Brown (left) and Taylor Pittman at JrNOLA.

that wants to say, ‘Hey, I want to be a journalist,’ it’s one of the only opportunities that we found that they can actually jump in and do it on a regular basis, instead of just a summer workshop here or there.” Liam Pierce, who worked as a sports journalist for Vice, serves as the editor of JRNOLA’s newsroom in the Central Business District. He teaches the students lessons about the inverted pyramid structure of news stories and how to write a lead, and edits each step of their writing process, weaving in guidance about professionalism and interview etiquette along the way. Guest speakers and media professionals regularly visit the students. “I try and emphasize as much as possible that I’m not their teacher, but I am their co-worker, and maybe their boss or their editor,” Pierce says. “Having that newsroom feel paired with the instructional feel is the perfect balance of what we’re trying to create.” Students involved in the program said it has changed their perception of what journalism can be. “I think the biggest surprise probably is ... you don’t have to follow the grain and just [write a story] like everybody else,” says Chris Taylor, a junior at St. John the Baptist STEM Magnet High School and the longest current participant in JRNOLA. “You have the ability to write a story about anything that you see.” Pittman says at first she thought journalism was going to be boring, but

the program taught her how to have fun with her writing. She says she has made connections with other students in the program and city officials alike and has been surprised by “how easy it is to have a conversation with somebody, no matter if they’re the mayor or a council person.” Pittman, who began her junior year of high school this month, now plans to pursue journalism and politics in college as some of the students who previously participated in the program have done. But wherever the students end up after graduation, Pierce says the experiences and skills they learn from JRNOLA will help them throughout their lives. “There are just so many skills that are taught in here that are helpful in so many different aspects of your life, regardless of whether they choose to do journalism or not — or as the market is dictating right now, whether journalism chooses them to do it or not,” Pierce says. “I’m looking at what they are going out into the world with, like analytical skills, person-to-person skills. There are just so many different qualities that you pick up in the process of doing journalism every day.” Stories by JRNOLA students can be found online at www.jrnola.org. Follow Kaylee Poche on Twitter: @ kaylee_poche

Email Gambit staff writer Kaylee Poche at kayleep@gambitweekly.com.

ASK ABOUT OUR BARRIER TREATMENT FOR YOUR BACK YARD OR OUTDOOR EVENT

504.229.2355 • MOSQUITOHUNTERS.COM

ADVERTISE WITH US Call Sandy Stein (504) 483-3150 or sandys@gambitweekly.com

G A M B I T B AC K T O S C H O O L 2 0 1 9

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BY K AY LEE POCHE

SPONSORED CONTENT

University of Holy Cross

4123 Woodland Dr, New Orleans, LA 70131 (504) 394-7744 • www.uhcno.edu A fully accredited Catholic university in New Orleans, the University of Holy Cross (formerly Our Lady of Holy Cross College) offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 1,200 students. With 154 faculty members and a student-faculty ratio of 12:1, students enjoy a personalized academic experience on an active campus where they are encouraged to explore spiritual values and pursue service opportunities. Some of the university’s most distinctive programs are in Business, Education, Counseling, Healthcare, and Arts & Sciences.

Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans

1519 Jackson Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 568-0770 • www.af-neworleans.org The Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans is proving that you can, in fact, teach old dogs new tricks. People of all ages and of all levels of French are taking time out of their days, nights, and weekends to learn one of the original languages of New Orleans—Le français. From French classes, to children’s programming, to conversation classes, your local Alliance Française, one of over 1,000 worldwide, has all that you need to “Fall into French” this Fall. Classes start September 9th and Early Bird pricing is until August 30th. Bonne rentrée!

New Orleans JCC Nursery School & Pre-K

Mosquito Hunters

G A M B I T B AC K T O S C H O O L 2 0 1 9

(504) 229-2355 www.mosquitohunters.com/ central-new-orleans-la

Chances are if your child or pet spends any time outdoors, you’ve considered some sort of mosquito protection for them. Especially during the warm summer months, mosquitoes can be annoying, and their itchy bites can ruin a fun extracurricular activity or event outdoors. If you’re sick of slathering on repellent but still want to protect your child or pet, Mosquito Hunters offers an effective and affordable solution: mosquito barrier treatments. Buzzing and biting aside, mosquitoes can carry harmful human diseases like Zika and West Nile Virus, and diseases for your pet like heartworm, so getting rid of them is no joke. Mosquito Hunters offers special introductory pricing for first time clients and season packages.

5342 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115 (504) 897-0143 • www.nojcc.org The JCC Nursery School and Pre-K enriches a child’s natural love of learning and encourages growth in social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. Their program offers a play-based, child-centered curriculum for ages 13 months through 5 years of age. Weekly music, movement, gardening and Jewish enrichment activities led by specialists enhance the classroom curriculum. The JCC offers a range of attendance options based on age, three and five-day-a-week programs, and a half day option, as well. Before and after care are available, as are holiday mini camps when school is not in session. Families of all faiths are welcome.

Mo’s Art Supply: Redefining Colorful

www.mosartsupply.com col·or·ful adjective: 1. having much or varied color; bright. “a colorful array of gel pens” synonym: brightly colored, bright-colored, deep-colored, brilliant, glowing, radiant, vivid, rich, vibrant; More 2. full of interest; lively and exciting. “a controversial and colorful character is always found shopping at Mo’s” synonym: vivid, graphic, lively, animated, dramatic, striking, arresting, picturesque, interesting, stimulating, fascinating, scintillating, rich, evocative, detailed, highly colored. “he regaled her with a colorful account of that afternoon’s figure drawing session” Mo’s Art Supply stores are the definition of colorful. Start living a more colorful life!

Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy 2504 Maine Ave, Metairie, LA 70003 (504) 233-4720 • www.discoveryhsf.org

Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy is an open-enrollment public charter school in Jefferson Parish serving 1,850 students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Since opening in 2013, Discovery has provided educational choice to families of Jefferson Parish in a high quality and academically successful school. Its strong programs in academics, health sciences, art, and athletics give students the opportunity to explore and develop their talents while preparing for a career or college. Discovery Schools is growing by leaps and bounds with plans to open a second school in Old Jefferson next school year (2020-21). The application window for Discovery Schools opens on November 1, 2019.

Waldorf Education Club Z! Tutoring

(504) 308-1069 • www.clubztutoring.com

2539 Columbus St, New Orleans, LA 70119 • (504) 345-2366 www.waldorfnola.org

Club Z! customizes learning programs for each student to fit any family’s needs and preferences. Their tutors are matched with your student based on their academic needs. Educational experts agree that the most effective teaching method is one-on-one instruction from a qualified tutor. Club Z! tutors are available around your busy schedule. Each child’s learning is unique, and tutors monitor progress so we can adjust the program as your child master’s new skills and concepts. Club Z! tutors work with your child’s curriculum to impact results where it matters most, in the classroom!

Waldorf Education offers an artsbased curriculum that follows the path of childhood. It’s celebrating 100 years, yet its founding principles are aligned with cutting-edge research in child development. We invite you to see our teachers and students in action at a tour or open house. See for yourself how our approach helps to shape them into the thoughtful, conscientious, and unique people they are.

504-308-1069

ckolf@clubztutoring.com www.clubztutoring.com/neworleans

OPEN HOUSES

Kindergarten â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Thursday, November 14, 9:30 am Grades 1 to 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Thursday, November 7, 9:30 am Willow Campus, 7315 Willow St. Middle & High School, Grades 6 to 12 Wednesday, October 30, 6:00 pm Freret Campus, 5624 Freret St.

lusherschool.org Lusher Charter School does not discriminate in the rendering of services to, or regarding employment of, individuals because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.

In partnership with Tulane University

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CHARTER SCHOOL

BACK TO SCHOOL

SALE August 15 – September 15

3 MO’S ART SUPPLY LOCATIONS

ALL

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BIG DISCOUNTS ON THE ITEMS ON YOUR LIST… PLUS FUN STUFF THAT’S NEVER ON A LIST!

315 N. Columbia St

2525 Bienville St

711 Jeﬀerson Hwy

Monday-Saturday 9-5

Monday-Saturday 10-6

Monday - Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-5

IN DOWNTOWN COVINGTON

(985) 809-6874

IN MID-CITY NEW ORLEANS

(504) 571-5030

I N B AT O N R O U G E

(225) 831-4870

The great outdoors 2019-2020 OPEN HOUSE DATES LITTLE GATE October 31 8:30am PRE-K – 12TH November 5 & January 9 8:30am P H O T O B Y N AT H A N T U C K E R

A nonprofit inspires children to learn through nature BY SUZANNE PFEFFERLE TAFUR

MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL October 16 5:30pm 2343 Prytania St. (504) 561-1224 McGeheeSchool.com Louise S. McGehee School is open to all qualiﬁed girls regardless of race, religion, national or ethnic origin.

TWO SCHOOLS. ONE HEART. Honor • Endurance • Academic Achievement Responsibility • Tolerance

Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy Accepting applications for grades K-12th Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy Opening August 2020! Accepting applications for grades K-4th

Application Period Opens November 1, 2019 www.DiscoveryApplication.com

G A M B I T B AC K T O S C H O O L 2 0 1 9

WHILE DEFYING THE NOTION THAT NEW ORLEANS IS NOT AN OUTDOORSY CITY, local nonprofit LOOP NOLA is helping youth from low-income families gain confidence and achieve academic success. The organization offers three educational nature-based programs set in scenic locations in and around New Orleans. “We provide positive, life-changing outdoor experiences to youth in Greater New Orleans,” says Jonathan Skvarka, executive director of LOOP NOLA. “We are trying to use the outdoors as a tool to develop social, emotional and academic skills.” Through LOOP NOLA’s Partner Programs, kids undertake rope challenges and go on fishing, hiking, canoeing and overnight camping trips. “While they are canoeing, they are also learning about the importance of communication, being a leader, self-control and self-awareness and things like that,” Skvarka says. Participants in the Outdoor Adventure Club Program plan monthly outdoor adventures, elect

leadership teams and train for a summer adventure in North Carolina. Members of the Outdoor Ambassador Summer Internship Program learn how to run a youth group by assisting with LOOP NOLA’s summer camp sessions. LOOP NOLA partners with 30 public and private schools, summer camps and nonprofits. Participants range from 6 to 19 years old and typically come from low-income families. Some have physical or mental disabilities. “Last year we had nearly 2,800 children and youth do our programs,” Skvarka says. “Our goal for this upcoming year is to have 3,000 students.” He also is focused on making LOOP NOLA more sustainable by decreasing its reliance on grants and sponsorships. One way he’s doing this is through LOOP NOLA’s Corporate Team Building Program for professionals. Fees from the program benefit LOOP NOLA’s youth programs. In addition to building social and leadership skills, Skvarka believes being outdoors has a positive effect on kids’ mental health. “It can relax these students who struggle with a lot of stress. It helps them put down those barriers that don’t allow them to develop social skills,” he says, adding that being immersed in nature is fun. “When you’re canoeing or camping, you’re learning — but it doesn’t feel like you’re at school.”

LOWER SCHOOL October 3 8:30am

Find Yourself

at Cabrini!

Find Friendship, Find Faith, Find Your Future!

SPEND THE DAY

at Cabrini High School! Call 504-483-8699 to schedule your visit.

1400 Moss Street, New Orleans, LA 70119

cabrinihigh.com Cabrini High School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its policies.

G A M B I T B AC K T O S C H O O L 2 0 1 9

Private French School

18 M O N T H S - 8 T H G R A D E

www.ebnola.net 812 General Pershing Street, New Orleans, LA 70115 | Phone: +1 504-896-4500

Cool for school Public charter military academy has high graduation rate, open enrollment

ONE OF THE WEST BANK’S BEST-KEPT SECRETS might be the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy (Federal City, 425 O’Bannon St., 504-227-2810; www.nomma.net), a public charter school where all students are cadets of the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Program (JROTC). The school opened in 2011 to offer military families stationed in New Orleans a high-quality, free education for their children. Enrollment preference is given to military families, but otherwise, enrollment is open to anyone who wants to attend. The school covers eighth to 12th grades. “We get a pretty diverse and talented group,” says NOMMA Commandant Col. Chris Schlafer. “We pull cadets from multiple parishes (mostly Jefferson and Orleans). Demographically, we are at almost 37% African-American, 32% Hispanic … about 29% Caucasian and a smaller percentage of Asian and other ethnic backgrounds.” All students are required to participate in Marine Corps JROTC and wear uniforms the entire time they attend NOMMA, the largest JROTC unit in the nation, Schlafer says, but they are not expected to join the military after high school. Only about 15% of NOMMA students go into the military upon graduation, he says. “We are a college preparatory school and we also offer career and technical education in the form of Louisiana’s Jump Start programs,” Schlafer says.

BY K ANDACE POWER GR AVES “The idea behind that is a student will take a certain pathway of courses in ninth through 12th grades. By the time they graduate as seniors, they have earned nationally recognized credentials and certifications that will allow them, upon graduation, to enter the workforce, because college is not for everybody.” Those include maritime industry, cyber engineering, digital media and business management. Civilian teachers instruct students in core subjects and 10 retired Marines handle the JROTC duties and mentoring. “Our focus is to try to inculcate in them core values, honor, courage, community and instill in them habits of respect, self-discipline and respect for others — habits that will serve them well in whatever field they choose.” The main curriculum is STEM-focused and students receive a background in reading, English language arts and math. Those who need help in their studies are given school time for remediation classes, and NOMMA offers free after-school tutoring three times a week. It’s a system that appears to work. “For the 2017-18 school year we had a 97% graduation rate, which exceeded by over 20 points both Orleans and Jefferson Parish averages,” Schlafer says. Last week the school was acknowledged by New Schools for New Orleans as one of the top four New Orleans public high schools for the number of students scoring three or above on Advanced Placement tests. The JROTC part of the program includes military drills and marching, marksmanship, color guard competitions, education bowls and physical competition. Sports offerings include basketball, baseball, softball, cross-country, track and the city’s only coed wrestling program. Email Gambit managing editor Kandace Power Graves: kandaceg@gambitweekly.com

P H OTO C O U R T E S Y N E W O R L E A N S M A R I T I M E A N D M I L I TA R Y AC A D E M Y

Weatherproof playtime

BY K ANDACE POWER GR AVES

Indoor spaces where kids can escape the heat and rain

PHOTO COURTESY NOL A KIDSGROUND

A wooden climbing structure at NOLA Kidsground

Our girls are

pioneers

the difference ff is Sacred Heart Meet Synthia, a synthetic human body replica used for learning in biology, anatomy, physical education classes and more.

Grades 5-12 Open House: Tues., Oct. 29, 5-7pm For personal tours: 504.269.1213

The new Louisiana Children’s Museum will open at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 31 on an 8.5-acre site in City Park. The previous location on Julia Street in the Central Business District closed July 27 after 33 years in the same building. The new museum features more than 100 hands-on exhibits, including five interactive educational exhibits covering arts and culture, the environment, health and wellness and literacy. Some of the most popular features at the former museum have been reworked for the new space, including a miniature grocery store and a bubble studio. There’s also a 100-foot-long “Mighty Mississippi” exhibit that illustrates a journey extending the length of the river from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. The main building includes two floors of indoor spaces and overlooks a lagoon. Another wing of the building houses a literacy center, a parent and teacher resource center, a cafe and a store selling toys and books. Outside there’s a floating classroom, a wetlands area, edible gardens, walkways and bridges. The museum will be open 9:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $14, free for children under 12 months old. Email Gambit managing editor Kandace Power Graves: kandaceg@ gambitweekly.com

Sacred Heart is open to qualified students regardless of race, color, religion, nationality or ethnic origin.

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON BRINGS TO MIND fall and the temperate weather that comes with it (in some parts of the country anyway). Here, the mercury still is in the 90s and rainy weather is likely to stretch through the end of hurricane season in November, spurring lots of cabin fever. There are two new indoor play spaces that offer physical and educational activities for kids. NOLA Kidsground (5700 Citrus Blvd., Suite D, 504-3549528; www.nolakidsground.com) opened in July for toddlers through 10-year-olds, and the new Louisiana Children’s Museum (15 Henry Thomas Drive, New Orleans City Park, 504-5231357; www.lcm.org) opens Aug. 31 in City Park. NOLA Kidsground, opened by husband-and-wife team Charles and Uyen Yi, includes a large wooden play structure with a tube slide designed for kids 7 and younger. There’s also a toddler area with soft play structures and a reading nook, a magnetic ball run, a Lite-Brite-inspired art wall, a STEM-focused play area and more. Parents can watch their children play while sipping espresso at the cafe, which also offers soft drinks, pastries from La Louisiane Bakery, pizza from Vieux Carre Pizza and other snacks. NOLA Kidsground is open daily. Admission is $7.95 for two hours of play Monday-Thursday, $9.95 Friday-Sunday. Children 11 and older are free with a paid sibling.

ashrosary.org

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Lunches they won’t trade PACKING AND PREPPING WHOLESOME LUNCHES doesn’t have to be a chore. You can kick health into high gear this school year with new ideas to make creative, nutrient-rich meals. Fit to satisfy various dietary restrictions, the Power Your Lunchbox program offers kid-friendly options and allergy-sensitive selections. The program, which is dedicated to helping families make healthier lunches during the school year, features more than 80 registered dietitian-approved, family-tested meal ideas with produce as a focal point. Consider skipping the typical sandwich, chips and apple. Instead, it takes only a few minutes to embark on a creative approach to lunch. Get the kids involved by having them use small cookie cutters to cut fresh fruits and vegetables into fun shapes. Try complementing the produce with wraps or soups to add extra excitement to typical lunchbox fare. Whether your child is a picky eater or is on the more adventurous side, bento box lunches such as Chinese mandarin pasta salad and turkey taco salad can be satisfying, power-packed meals. For more recipes, visit poweryourlunchbox.com.

Boost Kid’s

Brain Power with

Healthy Snacks

BY FA M ILY FE AT URE S

GARDEN DISTRICT

METAIRIE

RIVER RIDGE

CHALMETTE

www.breauxmart.com

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y F A M I LY F E AT U R E S

Pasta salad, edamame and kiwi make for a sweet school lunch.

Chinese Mandarin Pasta Salad Bento PREP TIME: 20 minutes 16 OUNCES ROTINI PASTA

1/2 CUP MATCHSTICK CARROTS

6 MINI SWEET PEPPERS, SLICED

1/2 CUP SESAME GINGER DRESSING

3 MANDARIN ORANGES, PEELED AND SEGMENTED

1/4 CUP CHOW MEIN NOODLES

3 GREEN ONIONS, SLICED

1/2 CUP STEAMED EDAMAME

2 CUPS BABY SPINACH, CHOPPED

1 KIWI, PEELED AND SLICED

• In a large bowl, mix pasta, peppers, oranges, green onions, spinach, carrots and dressing. Toss to coat well with dressing. Top with chow mein noodles. • Place in lunchbox with kiwi and edamame.

Turkey Taco Salad Bento Box PREP TIME: 10 minutes

1 CUP CHOPPED ROMAINE LETTUCE

4 CHERRY TOMATOES, QUARTERED

1/4 CUP COOKED TURKEY MEAT, SEASONED WITH TACO SEASONING

2 TABLESPOONS GUACAMOLE

2 TABLESPOONS SHREDDED CHEESE

1 OUNCE TORTILLA CHIPS

Assemble taco salad with lettuce, taco meat, cheese and tomatoes. Place in lunchbox with guacamole and chips.

G A M B I T B AC K T O S C H O O L 2 0 1 9

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water.

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PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS in the issue everyone will be picking up CALL TODAY TO RESERVE YOUR ADVERTISING SPACE ISSUE DATE : AUGUST 27

Call Sandy Stein at 504.483.3150 or email sandys@gambitweekly.com

SAVE THE DATE On Monday, Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m., WWL-TV will host a special Best of New Orleans program featuring winners in several categories.